Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller were among the officials who marked National Work Zone Awareness Week yesterday. During the event, Governor Moore announced the creation of a Maryland Work Zone Safety Work Group, which will study increased protection for highway workers. Lt. Governor Miller will chair the group.
Governor Moore also proclaimed April 19 as “Go Orange and Highway Worker Appreciation Day.” This recognition is aimed at highlighting the everyday dedication of roadway workers and raising awareness of the importance of driver safety in highway work zones.
“As we build an efficient and equitable transportation network, all Marylanders need to do their part to make sure the men and women doing the work are safe,” said Gov. Moore. “We must prioritize safety over speed, which is why I’m announcing the formation of a highway work zone safety work group to develop tangible solutions to protect workers, drivers and passengers.”
The governor emphasized the need for all Marylanders to prioritize safety over speed when traveling through work zones. With over 1,000 workers involved in more than 300 highway construction, maintenance, and utility projects across the state, officials urged drivers to slow down, move over when possible, and pay close attention in work zones.
National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs from April 17-21, is a national campaign aimed at promoting work zone safety and reducing the number of accidents and fatalities in construction and maintenance areas. Maryland’s efforts to improve work zone safety align with this year’s theme, “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.”